Paramount | 1963-64 | 741 mins. | Not Rated
Two years after making her final appearance as zany housewife Lucy Ricardo on I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball returned to television as the no less zany widow Lucy Carmichael on the CBS sitcom The Lucy Show. In many ways, The Lucy Show could be seen as a simple reworking of I Love Lucy. Even Vivian Vance was back—this time as divorcée Vivian Bagley. Though it should be noted that Vance had slimmed down and glammed up considerably since her days as Ethel Mertz. One thing still hadn’t changed; Vivian was still Lucy’s willing cohort in all manner of crazy adventures.
The series had Lucy and Vivian sharing a house in suburban Danfield, CT. with Lucy’s children Chris (Candy Moore) and Jerry (Jimmy Garrett), and Vivian’s son Sherman (Ralph Hart). As a single mother, Lucy was often in need of cash and always hatching get- rich-quick schemes to circumvent Mr. Barnsahl (Charles Lane), the banker handling her late husband’s estate. Beginning with the second season, Lucy’s financial affairs were in the hands of Theodore J. Mooney (Gale Gordon), president of the Danfield First National Bank. Since Vivian’s former husband was often late with alimony payments, she was always more than willing to go along.
As one would expect, the 1963-64 season featured Lucy and Viv in several crazy situations. For the volunteer fire department fundraiser, Lucy lands the coveted role of Cleopatra, and then convinces Viv to take the male lead of Antony in “Lucy Plays Cleopatra. Needing to raise some quick cash, Lucy and Vivian go into business giving children’s birthday parties, but their first job proves more difficult than either imagined–even the balloons refuse to cooperate in “Kiddie Parties, Inc.” When one of the players drops out of the post-season softball game, the coach (William Schallert) informs Lucy and Viv that they’re going to have to compete for the position in “Lucy and Viv Play Softball.” Lucy goes to the bank to apologize to Mr. Mooney, the new bank president who handles her finances, but then ends up locking them both in the vault overnight in “Lucy Gets Locked in the Vault.” Ellen Corby (The Waltons) guest stars as Miss Tanner and Barry Livingston (My Three Sons) makes his first appearance as Arnold Mooney. After Lucy locks Mr. Mooney in the bank vault a second time, she hires a reformed safecracker to set him free–but the man decides to rob the bank as well in “Lucy and the Safecracker.” Viv suggests that Lucy take an interest in the hobbies of her handsome date, so Lucy agrees to get up at the crack of dawn and go duck hunting in “Lucy Goes Duck Hunting.” Old tightwad Mooney seems to be spending a lot of money lately, and now with a bank shortage reported, Lucy’s convinced Mooney’s been embezzling funds in “Lucy and the Bank Scandal.”
Lucy convinces Mr. Mooney to give her $200 to redo her living room, but then she and Viv make the mistake of doing all of the work themselves in “Lucy Decides to Redecorate.” In order to prove to the finance committee that their town needs a fire department, Lucy tests her recent training by pretending to start a fire at the bank in “Lucy Puts Out a Fire at the Bank.” Lucy suffers from separation anxiety when Jerry is sent off to military school. Later, she sneaks in and disguises herself as a cadet in order to see her little boy in “Lucy and the Military Academy.” While visiting her old university with daughter Chris, Lucy decides to steal the founder’s statue as a prank, but then gets locked in the bell tower with Vivian in “Lucy’s College Reunion.” After she learns that tenant Viv has an option to buy her house, Lucy tries to steal the only proof that can help save her home–Viv’s copy of the lease in “The Loophole in the Lease.” While trying to cure Viv’s cousin of a case of hiccups, Lucy accidentally puts him to sleep, and has to take his place as percussionist with a major orchestra in “Lucy Conducts the Symphony.” Working as a hospital volunteer, it makes sense that Lucy visit Mr. Mooney as he recovers from a broken leg – especially since Lucy needs another advance in “Lucy Plays Florence Nightingale.” Bernie Kopell (The Love Boat) appears as the intern and Kathleen Freeman portrays Mrs. Blake. Lucy and Viv compete for the attention of a handsome bachelor they meet at the art supply store. Viv wins out, so Lucy gets revenge by sabotaging their date in “Lucy Goes to Art Class.” Robert Alda (Imitation of Life) guest stars as John Brooks III.
When her daughter Chris decides to go steady with Mr. Mooney’s son Ted, Lucy convinces Mooney that their kids plan to elope and need to be stopped in “Chris Goes Steady.” In order to spend more time with her golfer boyfriend, Lucy takes up the game, and then finds herself in a golf tournament competing with two top-ranked players in “Lucy Takes Up Golf.” To help Jerry and Sherman book a major act for their fundraising show, Lucy hires an Ethel Merman lookalike, not realizing that she’s just hired the real thing in “Lucy Teaches Ethel Merman to Sing.” Depressed that she’s been consigned to wardrobe mistress, Lucy begs to be in the show – an entire evening dedicated to the history of show business in “Ethel Merman and the Boy Scout Show.” While they wait for a loan from the government, Lucy convinces Viv to use her nest egg to open a restaurant, but attracting customers proves impossible in “Lucy and Viv Open a Restaurant.” Jack Albertson (Chico and the Man, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) guest stars. Needing to buy a tuba for Jerry, Lucy convinces Mooney to give her a job opening savings accounts, but her efforts start a rumor that the bank is failing in “Lucy Takes a Job at the Bank.” After a huge fight with Lucy, Viv decides to move out. Now Mooney jumps at the chance to rent Viv’s room to a nightclub singer, who proceeds to rehearse all day in “Viv Moves Out.” Lucy is plaintiff, attorney, and even her own witness when she decides to sue Mr. Mooney over his barking dog, which has been keeping her up all night in “Lucy Is Her Own Lawyer.”
When Lucy meets a handsome Italian millionaire, things are going smoothly until she ruins his tuxedo and has to break into the dry cleaners for his backup in “Lucy Meets a Millionaire.” Lucy’s excited about volunteering for Mooney’s political campaign, but the feeling isn’t mutual – especially when Lucy forgets to book Scottish bagpipers for a rally in “Lucy Goes into Politics.” Den mothers Lucy and Viv crash the boys’ overnight scouting trip, lose their only canoe, get lost in the woods, and infuriate scoutmaster Mooney in “Lucy and the Scout Trip.” Barry Livingston and Desi Arnaz, Jr. guest star. In order to earn money for a summer vacation, Lucy gets a job as a process server. Now all she needs to do is serve her first subpoena – to one Theodore J. Mooney in “Lucy Is a Process Server.” Tired of the girls making fun of her cooking, Lucy vows to win the town’s big pie-baking contest. Only she’ll have to beat five-time champion Vivian Bagley in “Lucy Enters a Baking Contest.”
Reading these short episode synopsis’ it becomes fairly obvious that much of the second season of The Lucy Show was I Love Lucy without Ricky and Fred; no matter, though, the ‘new scenario’ worked because Lucy and Vivian were such a dynamic pairing. For my money, Vance has always been one of the most underrated comediennes in television history. While she was the perfect foil for Lucy, Vance also had a kind of dry wit that contrasted well with Ball’s zany, off-the-wall style. By 1964, Vance would appear in only half of the episodes, and while the show was still funny, it was never the same despite extensive retooling.
Although CBS originally aired these episodes in black and white, this season was actually the first to be filmed in color. CBS would not start airing them in color until the fourth (1965-66) season. The episodes on this release are shown color, although if you play them in “Vintage” mode the original opening/closing credits and cast commercials (for select episodes) are in their original black and white. The episodes have been digitally reemastered and look and sound very good. There is still some occasional dirt and debris, but it isn’t a consistent issue. A few of the special features don’t look quite as good. You can watch most (if not all) episodes as they originally aired (with original credits and cast commercials) through an option on the individual episode menu through Set Up on the main menu. As a result, if you are watching an episode in “Vintage” mode, you’ll see a noticeable drop in quality for the credits and the cast commercial closing tag at the end of each episode.
The audio is presented in mono and English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing are available on every episode. Since this is a dialogue centered show, the mono soundtrack does the job, delivering voices in clear and concise tones.
The Lucy Show: The Official Second Season has some interesting special features spread throughout the four disc set.
Disc 1:
A Note about Color (1:28) Tony Maietta gives some information on how this was the first season to be filmed in color, although CBS continued to air it in black and white. Only the color episodes are presented on the DVDs, so he suggests you turn down the color on your television set if you want to see them in their original black and white.
Let’s Talk to Carole (24:27) Actress Carole Cook reminisces with host Tony Maietta about being Lucille Ball’s protégé and about their work together on The Lucy Show. She also discusses working with Vivian Vance and the other actors on the series.
Original Broadcasts: Original broadcasts of The Lucy Show were fully integrated, with sponsor-specific openings, closings and cast commercials. The footage was discovered recently on 16mm film. You can choose the “vintage” option from the Set Up menu to view these elements integrated back into the show.
Vintage Openings: Lux Beauty Soap (:29), Jell-O gelatin (:29), Swan dishwashing liquid (:30), Wisk laundry detergent (:30), Jell-O Instant Pudding (:30), Lux Beauty Soap (:29)
Cast Commercials: Candy Moore and Jimmy Garrett fox Lux Beauty Soap (:31); Vivian Vance and Candy Moore for Lux Beauty Soap (:30)
Vintage Closings: Primetime network broadcasts of The Lucy Show (1963-64) ended with the title card, a billboard for that week’s sponsor, and the closing credits. (:55), (:55), (:56), (:55), (:55), (:56), (:56)
Meet Gale Gordon: Photos and a short text biography of Gale Gordon.
Guest Cast: A text listing of the guest cast by episode. When you click on someone’s name, it takes you to a menu where you can see a photo of them in the episode and view a short biography.
Production Notes: This has some fun facts, trivia for many episodes and other behind-the-scenes details.
Photo Gallery: 28 Photos, all but one in black and white
Disc 2:
CBS: The Stars’ Addresses (3:17) – To promote its 1963 fall lineup, CBS presented a 30-minute compilation of previews, heralding new and returning programs: Lucy and Vivian dressed as postal workers, presented the network’s plans for Monday night, which included, of course, season two of The Lucy Show.
Original Broadcasts
Vintage Openings: Jell-O gelatin (:29), Wisk (:30), Final Touch fabric softener (:29), Jell-O Instant Pudding (:30), Pepsodent Toothpaste (:30)
Vintage Closings: (:55), (:54), (:55), (:56), (:55), (:54), (:55), (:55)
Guest Cast
Production Notes: Included in this section is more trivia and some postage stamps from the network’s press department.
Photo Gallery: 29 Photos, mostly in black and white
Disc 3:
Lucy and the Merm (3:41) Tony Maietta explains how “Lucy Teaches Ethel Merman to Sing” started as a single episode of The Lucy Show, but ended up being a two-parter. Rare photos recreate Desilu’s original ending for the episode. There is also part of the interview with Jimmy Garrett from the season one set where he talks about working on these episodes.
Original Broadcasts
Vintage Openings: Lux Beauty Soap (:29), Jell-O gelatin (:29), Final Touch fabric softener (:29), Wisk (:30), Pepsodent toothpaste (:30)
Cast Commercials: Jimmy Garrett, Ralph Hart and Candy Moore for Lux Beauty Soap (:31); Jimmy Garrett and Vivian Vance for Lux Beauty Soap (:30)
Vintage Closings: (:56), (:55), (:55), (:55), (:55), (:55), (:55), (:55)
Guest Cast
Production Notes
Photo Gallery: 23 Photos
Disc 4:
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour (51:47) This special with guest star Bob Hope was sponsored by Pepsodent and aired on Sunday, April, 19, 1964 at 8pm on CBS. This was Lucy’s very first “solo” special that found her playing herself (a studio head) and in a show-within-the-show, the female half of TV’s most popular comedy team. This special is in color.
Let’s Talk to Barry (10:27) Actor Barry Livingston reminisces with host Tony Maietta about his appearances on The Lucy Show. He also shares his memories of working with William Frawley on My Three Sons and about “growing up” on the Desilu lot.
Opening Night: To promote its 1963-64 lineup, CBS presented “Opening Night,” a one-hour comedy show starring six of the networks biggest stars. Included in the show was a restaging of the “Slowly I Turned” burlesque routine used in a 1952 episode of I Love Lucy, with Lucy playing the grieving comic – Clip #1 (3:42)
Also in “Opening Night,” Lucille Ball performed “Hey, Loom Me Over,” her hit song from the Broadway musical Wildcat. Special lyrics were used here, with Lucy attempting to convince her sponsor to continue her series. Clip #2 (:43) – This black and white footage isn’t in the best quality with some digital lines like you would see on an old VHS tape, but it’s still fun to watch.
Recovered Cast Commercial (:39) In this recently recovered commercial, Viv (Vivian Vance), Chris (Candy Moore) and Cynthia (guest Lucie Arnaz) enjoy butterscotch flavor Jell-O pudding and pie filling. The commercial was originally broadcast during season one of The Lucy Show at the conclusion of “Lucy Is a Chaperone.”
Original Broadcasts
Vintage Openings: Lux Beauty Shop (:29), Jell-o gelatin (:29), Wisk (:30), Pepsodent toothpaste (:30)
Cast Commercials Candy Moore and Vivian Vance for Lux Beauty Soap (:30); Vivian Vance and Ralph Hart for Lux Beauty Soap (:30), Candy Moore for Lux Beauty Soap (:30)
Vintage Closings (:55), (:55), (:55), (:54), (:55)
Meet Jess Oppenheimer: A text biography for the original producer and head writer of I Love Lucy.
Guest Cast
Production Notes
Photo Gallery: 11 Photos from The Lucy Show and 25 from The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
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